P11 Longevity?

catmath 1911 · February 17, 2002, 05:12 PM

Hello All,

I am leaning towards purchasing a Kel-Tec P11, and was wondering how durable this gun would be do to the aluminum internal frame? How many rounds has anyone heard of a P11 shooting and still surviving? Thanks to all who respond.

catmath 1911

lonegunman · February 17, 2002, 06:17 PM

Its really a moot point: you will want to trade it off long before you wear it out.

Your trigger finger will probably wear out from that god-awful trigger pull before the gun does.

Marcus · February 17, 2002, 06:56 PM

That`s right,the trigger pull is a staggering 8.5lbs. and it`s about as long as a big DA revolver.

It *feels* long and heavy to many folks because the gun is so small and light. Don`t let anyone kid you,if you can shoot a DA revolver (most of which have DA pulls over 10lbs.) you`ll do just fine with a P-11. I`ve had mine for about 5 years and put well over 7000rds. through it,many +Ps. Only 2 jams in that time,1 shooter DOH! and 1 FTF a little while ago with cheapo Winchester whitebox. It`s still as tight as new,no signs of wear other than the parkerized finish and it`ll still put 10rds. in the head of a silouette target at 15yds. offhand no sweat. Marcus

mlk18 · February 17, 2002, 10:17 PM

Fired 150+ rounds through my P11 this weekend with any finger injury or damage whatsoever. Now while that doesn't attest to the longevity of my sweet little 9mm, it does go toward proving that some of us must have better grip strength than others. I suggest those rubber balls full of goo that you squeeze, you can do wonders for those weak fingers and at the same time make your grip much stronger.

If I am correct, with a lifetime warranty if anything goes wrong with your P11 then the fine folks at Kel-tec will be fixing it for free. I do know a couple guys who are into the 1000+ range with their P11's with little or now wear (or reliability issues). Good luck.

mlk18

mlk18 · February 17, 2002, 10:17 PM

See my finger is so damn strong I pushed the mouse button TWICE!

mlk18

Blackhawk · February 17, 2002, 10:42 PM

catmath 1911,

You won't regret getting a P11. The alloy frame promises better durability than the Kahr or Taurus polymer frame, and history already seems to be proving that out.

P11's used to come with 10+# triggers, but it was reduced to 8.5# some time ago. I reduced mine to 6.5# and shortened the travel so it has now what I call a "perfect" DAO trigger.

Small, durable, light, 10+1 capacity, serious cartridge, handles +P+ loads, cheap, and with a lifetime warranty. Hard to beat all that!

I have to admit, though, that I've enjoyed tinkering with it as much as anything else about the P11....

catmath 1911 · February 19, 2002, 06:01 PM

I know this a little off topic, But would a mini-firestorm 9mm be a better choice for durability and ease of shooting (recoil)?

thanks,

catmath 1911

jim-alex · February 19, 2002, 08:14 PM

I had over 7k rounds through my second-hand P11 (early 20nnn serial #) when I noticed some cracks in the slide. Called Cliff at Keltec - sent them slide, received back a totally new slide - no charge. Maybe it will live forever? They are good people and back up their product 110%.

Regards,
Jim

lonegunman · February 19, 2002, 09:56 PM

An 8.5 lb trigger sounds good to you people???

Whats the world coming to?

Marcus · February 19, 2002, 10:10 PM

For this exact type of gun and this application yes many of us are perfectly happy with an 8.5lb. trigger. Since folks have made due just fine with 10-15lb. triggers on DA revolvers for about a bajillion years it looks to me like the world (at least in this regard) is getting better.

Marcus

lonegunman · February 19, 2002, 10:22 PM

yea, but you can always cock a DA revolver...

coz · February 20, 2002, 12:05 AM

Is the P-11 a target gun?

No.

Do you need to learn to shoot it? Yes....but not in an IDPA match.

The pocket guns, J-Frame, Keltecs etc are for close quarters self defense, not for practicing with multiple boxes of shells each weekend.

If you want a carry weapon that you can enjoy shooting and practicing with all the time, get a wonderful 1911 custom, like a Kimber or a Springfield.

Cheers

Blackhawk · February 20, 2002, 12:21 AM

Quote:

yea, but you can always cock a DA revolver...

If you've got the time....

lonegunman · February 20, 2002, 12:43 AM

By the time you can get your revolver out of the holster and pointed in the general vicinity of your target, you can have it cocked.

Blackhawk · February 20, 2002, 12:54 AM

Right.... It's pointed at the target and cocked. Too bad you don't have a firing grip on it yet. That's WHY DA was invented....

lonegunman · February 20, 2002, 12:56 AM

nevermind, not worth it...

Dont want to cause a fuss... If you like the P11, go for it.

Blackhawk · February 20, 2002, 02:56 AM

Of course. We understand....

Al Norris · February 20, 2002, 10:29 AM

Quote:

P11's used to come with 10+# triggers, but it was reduced to 8.5# some time ago. I reduced mine to 6.5# and shortened the travel so it has now what I call a "perfect" DAO trigger.

OK, I'm intrigued. How did you reduced the trigger pull and the travel? The only thing I've done to mine is to polish the feed ramp. While I've gotten used to the long hard pull, double-taps aren't the easiest with the weapon.

22lovr · February 20, 2002, 10:33 AM

My P11 drove me nuts at times, but I'll say great things about their lifetime warranty. I had mine sent in twice and the second time, they replaced the ENTIRE GUN, with the exception of the handle. The thing pinched my trigger finger after each shot, it ejected hot brass all over my head and was an "equal-opportunity malfunctioner." That is it malfunctioned on just about every type of ammo I tried in it. However, as a former KTOG forum member, MOST of the P11's were amazingly reliable and durable. Man, that's a pretty formidible close-quarter defense weapon with 11 rounds of 9mm at your disposal. Go ahead and get one, they're cheap and if you can get used to the Loooooong trigger pull, you may fall in love with it.

Blackhawk · February 20, 2002, 11:35 AM

Antipitas & 22lovr,

Go to "The Smithy" forum on TFL (this is "The Semiauto Forum"), and look for the thread titled "Blackhawk's Kel-Tec P11 Trigger Job." It's got all the steps to reduce the trigger pull length to 0.55", the trigger pull itself to 6.5#, and how to move the trigger arc to the rear of the guard.

The thread was recently put up so it's probably still near the top.

Found the URL. It's: http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...hreadid=102735

Dave R · February 20, 2002, 01:52 PM

Back to your original question on longevity of the P-11

Do a search over at www.ktog.org

Search the archives. There was a thread on that topic right before they changed to the newer system. I can't remember the numbers that were being tossed around, but I remember thinking they were pretty decent.

alamo · February 20, 2002, 01:59 PM

ktog.org is down right now & has been for a week. Supposed to be up by tomorrow hopefully with new bulletin board software.

Blackhawk · February 20, 2002, 02:21 PM

Thanks for that update, alamo. I've been wondering....

Al Norris · February 20, 2002, 02:24 PM

Thanks Blackhawk. Got that page printed out. Now I will get some spare parts and try it out!

automainea · February 20, 2002, 03:08 PM

i have shot around 4oo rounds thru mine i only shot it 3 to 4 times a year as it is a pocket gun for me and i only fire it to stay acustom to it i always take my sig out for target shooting

February 17, 2002, 05:12 PM	#1
catmath 1911 Member Join Date: January 23, 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 48	P11 Longevity? Hello All, I am leaning towards purchasing a Kel-Tec P11, and was wondering how durable this gun would be do to the aluminum internal frame? How many rounds has anyone heard of a P11 shooting and still surviving? Thanks to all who respond. catmath 1911

February 17, 2002, 10:17 PM	#4
mlk18 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2000 Location: USA Posts: 286	Come on . . . Fired 150+ rounds through my P11 this weekend with any finger injury or damage whatsoever. Now while that doesn't attest to the longevity of my sweet little 9mm, it does go toward proving that some of us must have better grip strength than others. I suggest those rubber balls full of goo that you squeeze, you can do wonders for those weak fingers and at the same time make your grip much stronger. If I am correct, with a lifetime warranty if anything goes wrong with your P11 then the fine folks at Kel-tec will be fixing it for free. I do know a couple guys who are into the 1000+ range with their P11's with little or now wear (or reliability issues). Good luck. mlk18

February 17, 2002, 10:17 PM	#5
mlk18 Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2000 Location: USA Posts: 286	Come on . . . See my finger is so damn strong I pushed the mouse button TWICE! mlk18

February 20, 2002, 12:05 AM	#12
coz Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2001 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 261	Is the P-11 a target gun? No. Do you need to learn to shoot it? Yes....but not in an IDPA match. The pocket guns, J-Frame, Keltecs etc are for close quarters self defense, not for practicing with multiple boxes of shells each weekend. If you want a carry weapon that you can enjoy shooting and practicing with all the time, get a wonderful 1911 custom, like a Kimber or a Springfield. Cheers __________________ Coz "Yes officer it's loaded, wouldn't be very useful as a throwing weapon now would it?"

February 20, 2002, 10:33 AM	#19
22lovr Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2002 Location: The "burbs," just southwest Atlanta Posts: 757	KelTec warranty is valid, believe me. My P11 drove me nuts at times, but I'll say great things about their lifetime warranty. I had mine sent in twice and the second time, they replaced the ENTIRE GUN, with the exception of the handle. The thing pinched my trigger finger after each shot, it ejected hot brass all over my head and was an "equal-opportunity malfunctioner." That is it malfunctioned on just about every type of ammo I tried in it. However, as a former KTOG forum member, MOST of the P11's were amazingly reliable and durable. Man, that's a pretty formidible close-quarter defense weapon with 11 rounds of 9mm at your disposal. Go ahead and get one, they're cheap and if you can get used to the Loooooong trigger pull, you may fall in love with it. __________________ Jeff the 22luvr ><> "You can't know the future but you can know the one who does...." I'm the "Will Rogers" of guns; I've never met one I didn't like.

February 17, 2002, 06:17 PM	#2
lonegunman Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2001 Location: deep in georgia Posts: 1,724	Its really a moot point: you will want to trade it off long before you wear it out. Your trigger finger will probably wear out from that god-awful trigger pull before the gun does.

February 17, 2002, 06:56 PM	#3
Marcus Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 1998 Posts: 1,156	That`s right,the trigger pull is a staggering 8.5lbs. and it`s about as long as a big DA revolver. It feels long and heavy to many folks because the gun is so small and light. Don`t let anyone kid you,if you can shoot a DA revolver (most of which have DA pulls over 10lbs.) you`ll do just fine with a P-11. I`ve had mine for about 5 years and put well over 7000rds. through it,many +Ps. Only 2 jams in that time,1 shooter DOH! and 1 FTF a little while ago with cheapo Winchester whitebox. It`s still as tight as new,no signs of wear other than the parkerized finish and it`ll still put 10rds. in the head of a silouette target at 15yds. offhand no sweat. Marcus

February 17, 2002, 10:42 PM	#6
Blackhawk Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2001 Posts: 5,040	catmath 1911, You won't regret getting a P11. The alloy frame promises better durability than the Kahr or Taurus polymer frame, and history already seems to be proving that out. P11's used to come with 10+# triggers, but it was reduced to 8.5# some time ago. I reduced mine to 6.5# and shortened the travel so it has now what I call a "perfect" DAO trigger. Small, durable, light, 10+1 capacity, serious cartridge, handles +P+ loads, cheap, and with a lifetime warranty. Hard to beat all that! I have to admit, though, that I've enjoyed tinkering with it as much as anything else about the P11....

February 19, 2002, 06:01 PM	#7
catmath 1911 Member Join Date: January 23, 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 48	I know this a little off topic, But would a mini-firestorm 9mm be a better choice for durability and ease of shooting (recoil)? thanks, catmath 1911

February 19, 2002, 08:14 PM	#8
jim-alex Member Join Date: March 14, 2000 Location: tired of NoVa Posts: 83	I had over 7k rounds through my second-hand P11 (early 20nnn serial #) when I noticed some cracks in the slide. Called Cliff at Keltec - sent them slide, received back a totally new slide - no charge. Maybe it will live forever? They are good people and back up their product 110%. Regards, Jim

February 19, 2002, 09:56 PM	#9
lonegunman Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2001 Location: deep in georgia Posts: 1,724	An 8.5 lb trigger sounds good to you people??? Whats the world coming to?

February 19, 2002, 10:10 PM	#10
Marcus Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 1998 Posts: 1,156	For this exact type of gun and this application yes many of us are perfectly happy with an 8.5lb. trigger. Since folks have made due just fine with 10-15lb. triggers on DA revolvers for about a bajillion years it looks to me like the world (at least in this regard) is getting better. Marcus

February 19, 2002, 10:22 PM	#11
lonegunman Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2001 Location: deep in georgia Posts: 1,724	yea, but you can always cock a DA revolver...

February 20, 2002, 12:43 AM	#14
lonegunman Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2001 Location: deep in georgia Posts: 1,724	By the time you can get your revolver out of the holster and pointed in the general vicinity of your target, you can have it cocked.

February 20, 2002, 12:54 AM	#15
Blackhawk Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2001 Posts: 5,040	Right.... It's pointed at the target and cocked. Too bad you don't have a firing grip on it yet. That's WHY DA was invented....

February 20, 2002, 12:56 AM	#16
lonegunman Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2001 Location: deep in georgia Posts: 1,724	nevermind, not worth it... Dont want to cause a fuss... If you like the P11, go for it.

February 20, 2002, 02:56 AM	#17
Blackhawk Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2001 Posts: 5,040	Of course. We understand....

February 20, 2002, 11:35 AM	#20
Blackhawk Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2001 Posts: 5,040	Antipitas & 22lovr, Go to "The Smithy" forum on TFL (this is "The Semiauto Forum"), and look for the thread titled "Blackhawk's Kel-Tec P11 Trigger Job." It's got all the steps to reduce the trigger pull length to 0.55", the trigger pull itself to 6.5#, and how to move the trigger arc to the rear of the guard. The thread was recently put up so it's probably still near the top. Found the URL. It's: http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...hreadid=102735 Last edited by Blackhawk; February 20, 2002 at 01:20 PM.

February 20, 2002, 01:52 PM	#21
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	Back to your original question on longevity of the P-11 Do a search over at www.ktog.org Search the archives. There was a thread on that topic right before they changed to the newer system. I can't remember the numbers that were being tossed around, but I remember thinking they were pretty decent. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

February 20, 2002, 01:59 PM	#22
alamo Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2000 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,060	ktog.org is down right now & has been for a week. Supposed to be up by tomorrow hopefully with new bulletin board software.

February 20, 2002, 02:21 PM	#23
Blackhawk Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2001 Posts: 5,040	Thanks for that update, alamo. I've been wondering....

February 20, 2002, 02:24 PM	#24
Al Norris Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 29, 2000 Location: Rupert, Idaho Posts: 9,660	Thanks Blackhawk. Got that page printed out. Now I will get some spare parts and try it out!

February 20, 2002, 03:08 PM	#25
automainea Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2001 Posts: 105	i have shot around 4oo rounds thru mine i only shot it 3 to 4 times a year as it is a pocket gun for me and i only fire it to stay acustom to it i always take my sig out for target shooting